Page 94 of All In: The Price We Pay

Shame, frustration, and regret overwhelm me. “Sorry. There’s no one else here.”

Evan scans the office and runs a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I slept like crap. And those stupid questions at the press conference.” He takes my hand and squeezes it briefly. “But we shouldn’t . . . ”

I nod. “Okay. Do you want to go quickly?” I gesture toward the restrooms, and Evan disappears in that direction while I, back in my office, turn off the lights and tidy up the essentials.

A moment later, he’s standing in the doorway, head bowed. He holds out his hand to me. “I’m sorry. I’m already paranoid.”

I rush over to him. “It’s okay. Can I kiss you? And touch your beard?”

He laughs and pulls me toward him. “You touched my beard three days ago.”

“Ha, three days during which I couldn’t test the quality.” I run my fingers over his cheeks. “Still stubbly. It’s hot. When will it get soft?”

Evan grins. “Hopefully, after the Conference Finals, we can celebrate making it to the finals with a nice, cozy beard.”

I keep running my fingers through his beard. “I’ll let you in on a secret.” I check out the hallway again, as if my secret were more important than Evan’s sexuality. I grin at him conspiratorially. “Last year, you were on those huge billboards in Times Square with that handsome facial hair, promoting the Monarchs.” I bite my lower lip. “That’s when I realized I’d never known you with a beard, and . . . ” Fuck, what I meant as a silly line suddenly makes me feel all sentimental.

Evan seems to be fully aware of my emotional rollercoaster ride. “Oh? A year ago?” An emotion flashes across his eyes. Maybe I’m imagining it. He pulls me along with him. “Do you have everything?”

“Yes.” I close my door and follow him.

“I guess you’re really lucky this year.” He turns to me and presses me against one of the freestanding desks. “You don’t have to rely on the billboards. My playoff beard is at your disposal for your enjoyment.”

“Is that so?” I run my hand over his cheek, down to the nape of his neck.

“Mhm. And the best part is, we have two days together before our next game.”

“And how are we going to spend that time?”

Evan kisses me passionately. I straighten up, wrap my arms around him, and a loud crack echoes between us.

We jump apart. It’s as if the sound is still echoing through the empty office. Empty?

“Fuck.” Evan takes two steps back, as if he could dodge whatever just happened. “You said no one was here.”

“There’s no one here anymore.” I defend myself. At least, that’s what I thought a second ago.

I sweep around. Was the light on in the conference room after all?

“What was that?” Evan whispers.

“A door?” I step back into the hallway leading to my office. Everything is quiet. My heart is pounding in my ears. My flight instinct tells me to run. But I can’t leave. I have to make sure Evan is safe.

Something shuffles behind me, and I snap my head around. Evan is standing behind me, staring at me with his eyes wide open. Dammit. Of course he’s here. What was I thinking?

“Cleaning crew?” Evan whispers.

“Not today.” Had their schedule changed? “Maybe it was just a gust of wind?”

Evan stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Here on the eleventh floor? Without being able to open the windows?”

I curse inwardly. Of course he’s right.

“Something might have pushed the door shut. An umbrella that was leaning against it and fell over.”

His eyes are panicked. “Maybe?”

We both want to believe in a simple explanation. It can’t be that someone saw us when we were hugging. Kissing. It can’t be.